Contact: Archdiocesan Communications

proffice@aod.org
(313) 237-5943

February 9, 2021

Archdiocese of Detroit urges faithful to ‘return to the Eucharist with renewed

amazement’ as general dispensation expires
Archbishop Vigneron will continue to grant particular dispensations for those at greater risk of illness.

Archbishop of Detroit Allen H. Vigneron announced today that the general dispensation from the obligation
to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation will expire on Saturday, March 13, signaling for
many Catholics that as they resume other activities it is also time to return to the heart and foundation of their
faith.
Particular dispensations will remain for those in need, including Catholics who are at greater risk of illness and
those who would experience significant anxiety or fear of getting sick from being in a public setting.
“In allowing the general dispensation to expire, we welcome back to Mass all Catholics who have already been
engaged in other activities that would present a similar or greater risk of exposure, such as eating out at
restaurants, traveling, partaking in non-essential shopping, and widening one’s circle of contacts. These
individuals should also prepare to return to Mass in recognition of its preeminence in our lives as Catholics,”
Archbishop Vigneron said in a letter to the faithful. “While particular dispensations will remain for those in
need, it is time for us to welcome back more of the faithful with a renewed amazement that we have a God
who is so close to us and who has such a deep love for us that he comes to us in flesh and blood.”
More information is available here about the particular dispensations.
The general dispensation for all Catholics in southeast Michigan began in March of last year when the
COVID-19 pandemic spread into the region and public Masses were suspended. Public Masses resumed in
May 2020 with limited building capacity, rigorous cleaning protocols, and other safety measures. In the
ensuing months, parishes and the faithful have worked together to ensure that essential public worship can
take place while protecting the health and well-being of everyone in the community.
The current liturgical directives will remain in place, including 50 percent capacity, frequent building
sanitation, and requirements for masks and social distancing among the congregants. The Archdiocese is
committed to assisting pastors to adjust Mass schedules or offer additional public Masses, insofar as possible,
to make it easier for as many of the faithful as possible to attend Mass while still practicing social distancing.
In the event that any Catholic approaches a church and is turned away due to the church’s capacity having
been reached, he or she has faithfully fulfilled his obligation. To assist in the transition back to the Eucharist,

UNLEASH THE GOSPEL

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the Archdiocese has updated its www.massfinder.org website to help the faithful easily search for a list of
Mass times in their area.
“In recognition of the essential and central nature of the Holy Eucharist in our lives as Catholics, and in
acknowledgement of my duty as shepherd to care for the souls of everyone within our diocese, it is important
that I lead more of us back to Mass, when and where possible,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “While watching
Mass online or on TV has been a means to help Catholics nourish their souls when they could not be present
for Mass, we must remember that it cannot become the norm. God did not come to us virtually. He came to
us — and continues to come to us — in the flesh.
“As Catholics, unmediated contact with the Real Presence of the flesh and blood of Our Lord is an
irreplaceable gift; it is a foretaste of Heaven itself.”

NOTES:

• Archbishop Vigneron welcomed Catholics back to Mass in a letter to the faithful announcing the end
of the general dispensation and the granting of particular dispensations.
• The Archdiocese of Detroit offers a set of Frequently Asked Questions about the general and
particular dispensations.
• Catholics wishing to search for online or in-person Mass times are encouraged to visit
www.massfinder.org, where they can search by city, ZIP code or on a map.
• For interviews, please submit an inquiry to proffice@aod.org.